1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.

2As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to him.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.

7The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

9As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.

11As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.

12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”

14As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.

17As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.

18As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,

19So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”

20Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.

21As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.

22The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.

23As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.

24The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.

27He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.